Clinics & Services

Adult Vaccinations

If you are unsure when you last had a Tetanus vaccination, or it was more than 10 years ago please discuss with the practice nurse.

Students at university or residential tertiary establishments are strongly advised to have a Meningitis C vaccine shortly before the start of their first term in the first year. All young adults up to the age of 24 are advised to have this vaccine.

We recommend an Influenza vaccination every Autumn for all patients aged 65 or over and for those patients of any age who have:

Chronic Lung Disease

Heart Disease

Kidney Disease

Diabetes

Long Term Oral Steroids

Liver Disease

Stroke

Asthma (If you are using inhaled steroids)

If you are a Carer

Pregnant Ladies

Additionally, we also recommend the Pneumococcal vaccine for all people in the above groups plus those over 65 or who have had their spleen removed.

NHS policy is that only patients who are in the above categories are eligible to receive a flu vaccine.

Please contact the nurse for all these vaccinations.

Antenatal Care

If you think you are pregnant, please contact Reception to make an appointment with the doctor who will then refer you on to the Midwife. For more information refer to the ‘Midwife Clinic’ section below.

Child Health Screening (Developmental Assessments)

We advise that all children are routinely assessed. The doctor will carry out your baby's eight-week check, usually at the same time as the Mother's postnatal check. Please make your own appointment for this at Reception. If you would like to talk to the Health Visitor please call on 01793 783724.

Chlamydia Testing

We offer a confidential Chlamydia self-testing service for both men and women up to 25 years of age. Kits can be obtained at reception.

Chronic Diseases Checks

We invite all patients with asthma, COPD, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), a history of heart problems, thyroid disorders and long term mental health problems to have a full check-up annually. If you are one of those patients, make an appointment if you have never had such a check, or it is more than a year since the last one.

Contraception and Family Planning

The practice offers a full and totally confidential service to all patients. All the doctors and nurses are happy to answer any questions, give advice and help. Please make an appointment at reception. Remember "safe sex" - especially with a new partner. We would like every pregnancy to be a wanted pregnancy and want everything to be done to try and ensure a normal pregnancy and baby.

Dietetics Clinic

Second and Fourth Wednesday each month 13.30 - 16.15 - referral is via your doctor or a nurse.

Immunisations and Vaccinations

Your child will be invited for all required vaccinations at the surgery (except the 14 years vaccinations which are given in schools) but if your child is overdue for any of them please make an appointment with the Practice nurse.

Midwife Clinic

Antenatal appointments are are available at the surgery. Your midwife will also arrange post-natal visits when you have had your baby. Parent craft classes can be arranged through the midwife.

You can contact the Midwife at the GWH on 01793 604815 between 09:00 – 09:45. At any other times contact the community bleep holder on 01791 604020 (bleep 1583).

Minor Surgery

This is undertaken in the surgery by all doctors. Appointments are in normal surgeries and may be arranged after seeing a doctor.

New Patients

We encourage all new patients to have a health check examination soon after registering. Please make an appointment with one of the Practice nurses.

Physiotherapy Clinic

Thursdays & Friday 08:40 – 11:30 at the surgery; appointments can be made at reception, following referral by a doctor.

Chiropody

If you require NHS chiropody treatment please make an appointment with either a doctor or nurse who will be able to refer you to the chiropodist clinic held at Faringdon Health Centre or Carfax Street, Swindon. Routine nail care is not available on the NHS.

Postnatal Group

Postnatal groups are run on a regular basis for new parents and their babies. Please contact the Health Visitors for details.

Counselling/Psychology Clinic

Clinics are held weekly on Monday and Tuesday. A referral from a doctor or a self-referral can be made – please speak to a receptionist.

Travel Health Service

The Practice nurses provide a full range of immunisations and advice on travel abroad. All vaccines, including yellow fever, can be administered at the surgery.

Remember to leave plenty of time to have the injections before you go. For ordinary package holidays 4-6 weeks is usually sufficient but for more extensive travel at least 3 months may be required. If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant, it may be advisable to discuss the immunisations or malaria prophylaxis for an exotic holiday with the Practice nurse, before booking your holiday.

Well Baby Clinic

Parents may bring any child to the clinic and no appointment is required.

Well Man Health Checks

We advise a complete health check every three years for all adult men. If you wish to attend, or it is three years since your last attendance, please make an appointment with a Practice nurse.

Well Woman Health Checks

We offer well woman screening appointments with the Practice nurse to all women. Smear tests are carried out every three years for women between the ages of 25 and 49 and every five years for those between 50 and 65. Invitation letters will be sent. We also advise women who have a coil fitted to book for a coil check every year. These can be done by either the doctor or the nurse.

Travel Vaccinations

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.

Non-NHS Services

Many medical examinations, for example HGV licences and for pre-employment, are not paid for by the NHS. Some insurance forms such as the certificates for Elderly Drivers Insurance, appear deceptively simple but need a full medical examination for their completion. Examinations of this nature take time so please tell Reception why you are coming. The fee due is payable by the patient at the time of the examination. Examinations for life insurance companies will also need a special appointment but the fee in this case is usually payable by the company concerned.

We are happy to carry out private HGV/taxi medicals for patients who are registered with us and also for those who are not.

The following are examples of non-NHS services, which attract payment: